Pronunciation: kla-RITH-roe-MYE-sin
Generic Name: Clarithromycin
Brand Name: Biaxin
Clarithromycin is used for:
Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.
Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of or killing sensitive bacteria by reducing the production of important proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.
Do NOT use Clarithromycin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Clarithromycin or to any other macrolide (eg, erythromycin)
- you have had liver problems or yellowing of the skin or eyes caused by previous use of Clarithromycin
- you are taking alfuzosin, astemizole, cabazitaxel, cisapride, conivaptan, diltiazem, docetaxel, dofetilide, dronedarone, eletriptan, an ergot alkaloid (eg, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine), lovastatin, lurasidone, nilotinib, pimozide, propafenone, quinupristin/dalfopristin, ranolazine, romidepsin, salmeterol, silodosin, simvastatin, tamsulosin, terfenadine, tetrabenazine, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, or toremifene
- you have kidney or liver problems and you are also taking colchicine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Clarithromycin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Clarithromycin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a certain blood disorder (eg, porphyria), kidney problems, liver problems, or myasthenia gravis
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Clarithromycin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for allergies, anxiety, asthma or other breathing problems, blood thinning, cancer, decreased blood clot formation, diabetes, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, gout, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high prolactin levels, HIV, immune system suppression, infections, inflammation, irregular heartbeat, malaria, mental or mood problems, migraines, nausea and vomiting, pain, parathyroid problems, pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH], overactive bladder, seizures, sleep, stomach or bowel problems, Tourette syndrome, and other conditions), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Clarithromycin, increasing the risk of side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Clarithromycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Clarithromycin:
Use Clarithromycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Clarithromycin by mouth with or without food.
- If you are also taking zidovudine, do not take it within 2 hours before or after Clarithromycin.
- Clarithromycin works best if it is taken at the same time(s) each day.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Clarithromycin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Clarithromycin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Clarithromycin.
Important safety information:
- Clarithromycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- This product may contain tartrazine dye (FD & C Yellow No. 5). This may cause an allergic reaction in some patients. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to tartrazine, ask your pharmacist if your product has tartrazine in it.
- Long-term or repeated use of Clarithromycin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
- Be sure to use Clarithromycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
- Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
- Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have been reported with Clarithromycin. This has usually been reversible when the medicine is stopped. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain; unusual tiredness).
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Clarithromycin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Diabetes patients - Clarithromycin may rarely affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- There have been reports of tooth discoloration with the use of Clarithromycin. This has usually been reversible with a dental cleaning.
- There have been reports of hearing loss with Clarithromycin, usually in elderly women. This has usually been reversible. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Caution is advised when using Clarithromycin in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially diarrhea and vomiting.
- Clarithromycin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Clarithromycin has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Clarithromycin is not recommended for use during pregnancy except when no other antibiotics can be used. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Clarithromycin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Clarithromycin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Clarithromycin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Clarithromycin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Abnormal taste; diarrhea; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach discomfort; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; confusion; decreased urination; depression; dizziness; emotional or mood changes; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; loss of taste or sense of smell; muscle weakness; nightmares; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain/cramps; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain; unusual tiredness); tremor; trouble sleeping.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Clarithromycin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Proper storage of Clarithromycin:
Store Clarithromycin at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Clarithromycin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Clarithromycin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Clarithromycin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Clarithromycin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Clarithromycin resources
- Clarithromycin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Clarithromycin Dosage
- Clarithromycin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Clarithromycin Drug Interactions
- Clarithromycin Support Group
- 53 Reviews for Clarithromycin - Add your own review/rating
- Clarithromycin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Clarithromycin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Clarithromycin Monograph (AHFS DI)
- clarithromycin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Biaxin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Biaxin Consumer Overview
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